Endorsement of Ron DeSantis (R) Currently the Congressman for FL s 6 th District. Won the Republican primary for Governor on August 28, 2018, defeating Agricultural Commissioner Adam Putnam. 2017 LSCU Federal Lawmaker of the year, having supported many of our credit union issues. He co-authored the Dear Colleague letter to the Department of Justice on ADA Website compliance clarity. One of the first meetings he asked for during his Gubernatorial exploratory period was with LSCU. Attended our 2012 RNC Event and our 2012 Hike the Hill reception as a candidate for Congress.
Endorsement of CFO Jimmy Patronis Appointed by Gov. Rick Scott in July 2017, Patronis is running for a full term in 2018. As a State Representative, he was extremely accessible to credit unions, despite having sat on a bank board in his younger years. Continues to be very engaged with credit unions, particularly his local CUs in Panama City. Many of the Gulf Coast chapter meetings are held at his family restaurant, Captain Andersons. Supported public deposits for credit unions as a state lawmaker, though he never had the opportunity to vote on it.
Endorsement of Rep. Matt Gaetz Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-FL 1) has been a big credit union supporter since his days in the Florida House. Rep. Gaetz has held several town hall meetings at credit unions, as well as CEO roundtables, to discuss issues important to the industry. Publicly supported the CU tax exemption and several times spoke to Ways & Means chairman Kevin Brady (R-CA) on behalf of credit unions. He is a strong supporter of regulatory relief and reform.
Endorsement of Rep. Bill Posey Congressman Bill Posey (R-FL 8) has been a strong supporter of credit unions throughout his time as a lawmaker, both in FL and in DC. Sits on the House Financial Services Committee. He has sponsored and co-sponsored numerous credit union supported legislation, including MBL cap raise, Supplemental Capital, RBC Delay, Dodd-Frank reform, and others. Posey continuously touts the credit union difference and is truly one of the best advocates credit unions have in D.C. He has also appointed several credit union CEOs to a financial services advisory panel he has back in the district.
Endorsement of Rep. Darren Soto Congressman Darren Soto (D-FL 9) has been a strong credit union advocate since his days in the Florida Legislature. In the FL Senate, Soto cosponsored financial literacy efforts and legislation to allow credit unions access to public deposits. Since his election to Congress, few have been as accessible and supportive of credit unions. While he does not support some of the changes to Dodd-Frank, he has been clear that it is not because of credit unions, it s his issues with the big banks. He supports expanding credit unions ability to offer commercial loans, and is a staunch supporter of the credit union tax exemption.
Endorsement of Rep. Gus Bilirakis Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL 12) staunchly supports credit unions. He has cosponsored MBL, Supplemental Capital and several other items in the past. Supports regulatory relief and reform and voted yes on S. 2155. He has been a long-time supporter of the credit union tax exemption, having offered quotes to be used on the issue. Very accessible to credit unions and always willing to make time when available.
Endorsement of Ross Spano State Rep. Ross Spano (R), running for District 15, won the GOP primary to replace retiring Congressman Dennis Ross. Ross has been a strong supporter of credit unions during his time in the Florida House, supporting issues such as Public Deposits, FDUTPA exemption, and has always been an advocate for the credit union tax exemption. Ross reached out early in his campaign for support. He is also a firm believer in regulatory relief.
Endorsement of Greg Steube State Sen. Greg Steube (R) easily won his GOP primary against State Rep. Julio Gonzalez to replace retiring Tom Rooney (R- FL 17). The League supported Steube in the primary, based off his continued support of credit unions while in the Florida House and Senate. Steube was a strong supporter of public deposits, voting yes on the issue in the Senate Banking committee, despite backlash by the banks as he was named a potential future congressional candidate. Additionally, Steube went against his own profession (trial lawyer) to support the credit union exemption to the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trades Practices Act.